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Review: ‘Revival’ #5

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11 years ago

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There’s no doubt that Revival is an intelligent, promising series from Image Comics. The pseudo-zombie drama has a unique approach to its subject and characters, with sharp dialogue and good art to boot. However, it has a tendency to overwhelm its narrative with too many intersecting plotlines, resulting in uncertain character motivations and muddled plot progressions. Unfortunately, “Revival” #5 succumbs to these flaws.

WRITTEN BY: Tim Seeley
ART BY: Mike Norton
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE DATE: November 21st, 2012

One thing “Revival” does right is dialogue – and by extension, characterization. All of the characters are strong, with their own personalities and motivations. They have their own voices, and all of them provide insight into who they are and why they are doing what they’re doing. Most of it is fairly enjoyable to read as well, particularly the scenes involving “demonologist” and Limp Bizkit fan, Blain Abel. The characters also provide intelligent commentary on the events surrounding them, and encourage you to invest in the plot.

However, that plot is difficult to follow. There are a number of threads in “Reviver”, many of them still in their infancy, so it’s understandable that Tim Seeley feels their inclusion is necessary. And in this issue, we’re introduced to two new characters – well, arguably just one, though the identity of the ghost from issues past is sort of revealed. However, it’s still uncertain how these characters actually relate to the core group.

The other issue is that there are too many subplots for any of them to shine. Dana discovers Em’s inappropriate past with her English professor. Jamie Hettinga gets a creepy letter after her step-brother (and romantic partner) has been disemboweled. Em and May flee from Blaine on snow mobiles after Em has an encounter with the ghost. Ibrahaim Ramin gets a call from his former girlfriend informing him the CDC intends to quarantine the revivers. I get that this is all necessary for whatever Seeley has in store, but it needs to be communicated more effectively. We’re left with moments of good dialogue and some good action here, but not with much plot progression.

Mike Norton’s art, as usual, is quality. There’s nothing flashy about his stuff, but he gets the job done and tells a story well. The man can draw action, emotion, gore and whatever the script calls for, and for that he should be commended. His art is more consistent than the storytelling in this issue.

Still, all that said, I’m not down on the series. I have a feeling when it picks up the pace and the characters are more fully fleshed out, the story-telling will become less cluttered and more in-depth. When that happens, this will be one of the better series Image is producing.

2.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – George Shunick

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Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

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21 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Witchblade cover

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)

Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

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